Rays announce 2021 Minor League Award winners

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The Tampa Bay Rays have announced the winners of their 2021 Minor League awards:

• Minor League Player of the Year: OF Josh Lowe, Durham – Batting .291/.380/.538 (112-for-385) with 28 2B, 21 HR, 75 RBI and 26 SB through 107 games for the Bulls and is the first Bulls player with 20 HR and 20 SB in a single season since Justin Ruggiano in 2007. He ranks 2nd among Rays minor leaguers in extra-base hits (51), 3rd in total bases (207), 4th in doubles, RBI, runs (74), walks (58) and stolen bases and is tied for 6th among Rays minor leaguers in homers. He currently ranks 3rd in Triple-A East in RBI, is tied for 5th in homers and ranks 7th in avg.
• Minor League Pitcher of the Year: RH Shane Baz, Montgomery/Durham – Went 5-4 with a 2.06 ERA (78.2-IP, 18-ER) and 113 SO in 17 starts between the two levels. He began the season with Montgomery and made 7 starts there before earning a June 15 promotion to Durham. He totaled 10 starts with the Bulls, including five before a July 20–Aug 9 stint on the Temporarily Inactive List for participating in the Tokyo Olympics. Despite a Sep 20 promotion to the majors, he is tied for 5th among Rays minor leaguers in strikeouts. At the time of his call up, he ranked among Triple-A East leaders (min. 10 starts) in ERA (1.76, 1st), WHIP (0.85, 2nd), opp avg. (.174, 3rd) and SO/9 IP ratio (12.52, 4th).
• Relief Pitcher of the Year: RH Colby White, Charleston/Bowling Green/Montgomery/Durham – Is 3-3 with a 1.52 ERA (59.1-IP, 10-ER) and 99 SO in 40 apps (1 start) between the four levels. The sixth-round selection out of Mississippi State in the 2019 Amateur Draft is tied for 1st among Rays minor leaguers with 10 saves and ranks 7th in strikeouts. He earned promotions on June 10 to Bowling Green, Aug 10 to Montgomery and Sep 9 to Durham.
• Defensive Player of the Year: INF Taylor Walls, Durham – Won Defensive Player of the Year honors for a third straight season (2018-19). He has appeared for the Bulls at shortstop (34 games, 33 starts), second base (8 games, all starts) and third base (5 games, all starts) and has combined for a .975 fielding pct., making 4 errors in 163 chances. He has spent two stints with the Rays and ranks 4th among major league shortstops with 10 Def. Runs Saved.
• Baserunner of the Year: INF Greg Jones, Bowling Green/Montgomery – Was successful on 94.4 pct. (34 of 36) of stolen base attempts between two levels. He ranks 2nd among Rays minor leaguers in stolen bases. Despite an Aug 10 promotion to Montgomery, his 27 SB with Bowling Green tied for 3rd in High-A East.
• Erik Walker Community Champion: INF Jim Haley, Montgomery – Named after former Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in 2006 following his first season in professional baseball, the award annually recognizes a Rays minor leaguer who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement. Haley was selected from a field that included nominees from each Rays affiliate. The Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, will make a $2,500 donation in Haley’s name to the nonprofit organization of his choice.

The Rays also announced the Most Valuable Players for each of their five domestic affiliates:

• Triple-A Durham MVP: OF Josh Lowe – Currently leads the Bulls in runs (74), hits, RBI and total bases (207).
• Double-A Montgomery MVP: INF Jonathan Aranda – Hit .325/.410/.540 (89-for-274) with 19 2B, 10 HR and 58 RBI in 79 games for the Biscuits and led Double-A South hitters in avg., on-base pct. and slugging pct.
• High-A Bowling Green MVP: OF Jordan Qsar – Hit .257/.366/.536 (88-for-343) with 19 2B, 23 HR, 69 RBI and 15 SB in 98 games for the Hot Rods and led the team in homers, tied for 1st in runs (65) and ranked 2nd in RBI.
• Low-A Charleston MVP: OF Diego Infante – Hit .296/.393/.507 (110-for-371) with 20 2B, 16 HR, 80 RBI and 20 SB in 101 games for the RiverDogs and led the team in runs (83), hits, homers, RBI and total bases (188).
• Rookie-level FCL Rays MVP: INF Willy Vasquez – Hit .288/.382/.411 (42-for-146) with 6 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 20 BB and 14 SB in 40 games for the Rays and led the team in hits, triples, RBI, walks and total bases (60).